TP&W Morton Job 6-1-18


The Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway made a Morton run this morning. 

I learned of it through social media and took the chance to drive from my home in Dunlap and intercept it. Fortunately, I arrived in time to see TP&W 2105 shoving two loaded herbicide tank cars across Norfolk Southern's Bloomington District.

TP&W's Morton Industrial Lead has seen better days. It is used to serve only once customer - Fort Transfer Company. The railroad has wanted to dump its Morton operation for a long time, but Fort Transfer, which began receiving liquid herbicide in early 2002, has kept it going.

Access via trackage rights on Norfolk Southern's Bloomington District between East Peoria and Crandall and a small volume of business that fails to contribute much line-haul for the serving carrier has long plagued this last remnant of an ex-Santa Fe branchline which dates to January 1873.

I shot video of the train shoving the two tank cars through town and also at Fort Transfer Company's property. When TP&W 2105 left engine lite, I shot video at W. Jefferson Street and N. Nebraska Ave. I just missed a chance to shoot 2105 moving westbound on the NS at N. Main Street. 


- David P. Jordan

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